Possible predictors of Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy in the psychiatric population – A scoping review

BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 pandemic brought vaccination to the front of the series of measures implemented to address the chain-reaction outbreaks that continue to cause loss and suffering. In spite of its proven efficacy, a considerable percentage of the population remains hesitant or right-out opposed. A need for informing public health strategies not only in regards to the current pandemic but for future similar developments remains of utmost importance for researchers and clinicians alike, especially when it comes to vulnerable categories of population. Identifying risk factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in the psychiatric population is the aim of this scoping review. METHODS: We performed a systematic search on the topic of Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy in relation to psychiatric disorders, using three databases: Medline, PubMed and Embase. Inclusion criteria focused on studies looking at individuals with a psychiatric disorder in the context of the Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy where possible determinant factors were discussed. RESULTS: Fifteen articles out of 219 publications on the topic of Covid 19 vaccine hesitancy met our inclusion criteria for this review. The common findings of these studies recognize the following risk factors for Covid 19 hesitancy: diagnosis of severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, lower socioeconomic status, lower educational level, and young age. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may contribute to the proactive development of educational strategies targeting the psychiatric population in the context of cultural, ethnic, age and gender diversity, in order to safeguard the wellbeing of all when facing pandemic events. Overarching future directions include creating vaccination promotion strategies specific for the psychiatric population.